Author Archives: Deborah Taylor

We saw the dawn of the Automated Teller Machine over five decades ago, and since this time, the ATM has evolved quite a bit. In this article, we will discuss this evolution and just how Automated Teller Machines have changed over time.

The First ATMs Ever Seen

The very first ATM made its debut in 1967, located in north London. A little over two years after this debut, ATM machines appeared in the United States of America, starting in New York. It was first known as a Docuteller and the machine was limited to those who were customers of the bank. It took approximately ten years after this before it was possible to use an ATM that was located at another bank than the one used by each customer.

Drive-Up ATMs

One of the best features of an ATM is its convenience, and ATM placement in a drive through setting is uber convenient. The ability to drive up to one of these machines became introduced, it was a feature that became an instant hit. The first drive-up ATM was installed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, during the year of 1980. This feature was a followup to the drive-up teller window, and 95% of the use of drive-up ATMs was reported from the United States, giving a large amount of insight into just how much Americans enjoyed using their car while seeking out an automated teller machine.

More Than Cash

While ATMs were and are still known for dispensing cash, it was not uncommon for this machine to give out stamps, prepaid cards, and the like as well. However, this feature garnered mix results.

As time continued, it was not uncommon to find an ATM that could speak to the customer. This feature was seen as an improvement over braille for those customers who could not see. These days, it is commonplace to find one that can talk.

Cardless ATMs

One of the greatest complains that automated teller machines have garnered over the years is snatching a card that was left during the transaction for a touch too long. However, these machines are evolving, and many banks have begun implementing the use of cardless ATMs. This is excellent news for those customers with previous bad luck with leaving their card in ATMs.

In conclusion, the automated teller machine is one that has given a great amount of convenience to customers everywhere. No doubt we will continue to see many changes and improvements in the way that ATMs help customers carry on with their banking.

Many people have heard of LASIK eye surgery. The thought of never having to wear glasses again is often enough to lure people into this type of surgery. However, the question must be addressed, is it right for you?

To determine this, you’ll want to have a consultation with a LASIK eye surgeon. At this consult, you’ll want to ask any questions that you may have regarding the surgery. These questions may include how long the surgery takes. They may also include the cost of the eye surgery per eye, any recovery time and any special preparations that you may have to do prior to your LASIK eye surgery. Even though this type of surgery is safe, there are always risks that must be addressed. As any surgery has risks this is no exception. You may wind up with less than what you’re anticipating for your vision enhancement. Are you willing to accept this risk? You may not have the 20/20 vision that you’re anticipating.

Other things to consider are your age. Those who are under the age of 18 are frequently told that they need to wait until they have reached their mid-20s and their eye prescription is more stabilized. Just as the rest of the body is still growing into the 20s, so are the eyes and the prescription for eyeglasses can change rapidly during periods of growth. If you’re over the age of 40 you may also have issues with eye surgery. Eye surgery can’t correct many of the symptoms of aging. For example, as we age we often hold written materials further from our eyes. This is known as presbyopia. Unfortunately, this isn’t something that can be corrected with laser eye surgery.

However, the surgeon can do a surgery that leaves the eye that isn’t dominant slightly nearsighted. This allows the patient to focus differently. If patients struggle with cataracts or glaucoma, they are also removed as potential good candidates for LASIK surgery. Just as the human body has specific requirements before you can have specific surgeries, so does eye surgery.

If you’re among the many who have clear eye lenses and healthy stable eyes, you may be an excellent candidate for laser eye surgery. You must also be free of any viruses such as herpes simplex and herpes zoster. Other health issues that may preclude you from eye surgery are autoimmune diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes or other such conditions. If you struggle with a compromised immune system you may not be able to have eye surgery. You’ll also have to agree to follow up appointments and taking good care of your eyes. If you wear contacts you may have to stop wearing them for a few weeks prior to surgery. Also, you won’t be able to wear any cosmetics or perfume during your surgery. Lastly, you must arrange for some form of transportation after the surgery as you’ll be slightly sedated and in no shape to drive.

There are many options available for a parent as they get older and need a little extra assistance for day to day living. These range from simply having someone visit their house to help out with certain things on a biweekly basis (such as bringing groceries or picking up the mail) all the way to need to stay at a fully featured memory care facility.

Independent Living

Independent living is a great option for seniors who are still living a relatively active lifestyle and engage in daily activities that keep their mind and body busy and healthy. Communities that are a good fit for this lifestyle are usually classified as independent living or independent retirement communities. Many different service levels are available but it is usually a bit more basic and tenants are allowed quite a bit of freedom in their daily activity and schedule.

Assisted living communities are usually a good fit for a parent that has lost much of the ability to do some of the more normal daily tasks that we are all used to. These can include, but aren’t limited to, driving, doing simple chores, cooking, cleaning, and other related daily tasks. Assisted living type facilities usually provide for all these basic daily activities and include full meal service, daily activities, and transportation service.

Memory care facilities are usually designed for seniors who are in the early or mid stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. These types of conditions require a special care schedule and involve essentially all the different daily needs that a tenant might have (cooking, cleaning, help bathing, memory exercises, etc.) These types of communities are usually a bit more expensive due to the extra care needed.

Here is a list of great Portland senior community options to look into for a parent or loved one:

If you have been debating about starting a roofing company in Oregon there are a number of reasons that you should debate no longer. Due to a number of conditions in the area, a roofing company is an extremely viable business that has huge potential for great profit and growth. The key is to focus the business on the certain areas that are in demand.

Due to the rainy weather that Oregon is known for leaks are extremely common. The extent of how moist the roofs can be for the majority of the year an average roof is subject to degradation. Being that wood and other organic materials are involved in a roof’s construction, it is only natural that they will break down quite quickly in that environment. This of course opens the door for an extremely high need for repairs to ensure that the roof of a home owner does not become further damaged over time.

Additionally, due to the number of heavy storms that come through the region, there is a very high need for regular roof cleanings. Most homeowners prefer to have professionals that have experience being on high, dangerous surfaces taking care of this type of work. It basically just involves removing all the debris that builds up over time from the roof. You can also treat the roof to prevent the growth of mold and moss. The need is very high for this work, the key is to educate potential customers on why it is so important to have it done on a regular basis.

Finally, moss growth is a major problem in the area. Again, because of the weather conditions it is very easy for moss to take over a roof in very little time. Moss growth on a roof is devastating and should be addressed as soon as possible to ensure that it does not completely ruin the roof. Informing potential customers of the effect that the mold can have on their roof will lead to a great deal of business. Having work done to remove and treat the moss is a great deal more affordable than having to replace the roof entirely. Many homeowners are not aware of just how destructive the moss growth can be, in fact some think that it provides protection or that it simply adds charm to their home. Again, by educating them on what the moss really means to their homes they will be quick to agree to have the work done by your company.

Oregon is a prime location for starting a roofing business and watching it naturally thrive. As long as your company provides quality service, offers competitive prices and does a decent amount of advertising to get started you are sure to have a successful business. Be sure to focus on the needs of your potential customers. Keeping in mind their needs due to the particular climate in the area will serve your business prospects very well. Our sponsored roofing company in the Portland area is Dial One Roofing. They also do siding installation.

Are you in search for the best way to expand the reach of your company? You have probably considered using traditional media to promote your products or services. And when it comes to traditional media, television and radio are often considered the best options. But it’s important to consider all available options if you want to make the most out of your limited marketing budget. While nobody can deny that TV and radio have an enormous reach, they might still not be the right way to promote your company. Here are some of the top reasons why might want to steer clear of TV and radio ads.

Gets Expensive Quickly

It isn’t surprising to hear big brands spend an awful lot of money on TV and radio ads. If you’re a small business owner, a single spot can eat up your entire marketing budget, especially on television. What’s more, studies suggest that in order for TV and radio ads to be effective, they must be repeated several times. Repetition enables your target market to retain your marketing message, but as you might imagine, this comes at a high price tag.

Listeners And Viewers Get Distracted

It’s safe to assume that most people do not listen intently to advertisements on the television and radio. Those who tune in to the radio usually do something else, such as preparing a meal or driving. A lot of people also switch channels or stations as soon as commercials begin. Even if you have an excellent advertisement, it proves useless if your target market doesn’t see or hear it. You might end up putting your hard-earned money to waste.

Competition Is Very Stiff

When it comes to television and radio advertising, it’s wise to choose your spots based on your target audience. Identifying these spots is the easy part; things start to get difficult once you try to get in those spots. The competition can prove to be very stiff, as countless companies both big and small aim for the same set of eyes and ears. And if you want to get into prime time spots, then expect to shell out some huge money.

No Way To Measure Effectiveness

One of the biggest downsides to TV and radio ads is the fact that there is no way to gauge their effectiveness. Many marketers feel satisfied with just being able to claim a spot, thinking that their ads will get seen or heard by a huge amount of people. But numbers aren’t everything. Not every viewer or listener will be interested with your company. There’s simply no way to ensure that you expose your ads to targeted traffic if you go for television and radio advertising.

These are the top four reasons why TV and radio ads may not be the smartest way to market your company. This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t consider these ads. It’s just a reminder that there are more options out there, ones that can bring targeted traffic to your business without spending a ton of marketing dollars. So what is the better answer then?

Search Engine Optimization

We feel that search engine optimization (otherwise known as SEO) is one of the smarter ways to gain traction online with marketing your company and gaining customers online. SEO has gained a bad wrap in the past because there are so many companies out there that seem to be doing it. The key is you have to find one with a very positive reputation and history of helping clients at an affordable price. This is the tricky part, again, because there are so many out there that you may need to weed through before finding the right one. Ask around with your fellow businesses that seem to be doing well because you can bet they have done some marketing on the internet. Learn more about SEO here or view this informative Google PDF about SEO.

The zone of HR is regularly disregarded by understudies going to business college. However most organizations place a high esteem on their HR divisions and the part they play in the development of an organization.

A decent HR division will enlist, contract, prepare, train and fire workers; direct finance and representative advantages and frequently be the contact point for outside organizations and people. A HR expert’s obligations will differ based upon the measure of the office. Representatives will practice more in bigger offices, while individuals from little offices will wind up wearing a wide range of caps and play out an assortment of capacities. In such manner, it is infrequently beneficial for late school graduates to get their first position with a littler organization where they can take in the diverse territories of the staff and HR division.

Most representatives in the faculty field will work in enlistment and occupation, preparing and advancement, or pay and advantages.

In the event that you have a proposal around a human asset course or school that you went to, please let us think about it.

Professional Training Options

Professional and Community College Education Choices. Numerous secondary school graduates are perceiving the benefit of gaining a partner’s degree before proceeding onward to a four-year college. It is an Affordable Option

For some new understudies, the sticker price of their instruction is a noteworthy concern. Stringent monetary guide necessities and lessening grant open doors are constraining understudies to consider different boulevards.

Another one of a kind advantage of the junior college experience is the chance to pick up school involvement in a more casual and pardoning air. Shorter lines and more seats mean there’s a superior chance to get the classes you have to finish your degree the first run through around.

Ways to a Four-Year University

Numerous secondary school understudies trust that they need to acknowledge their secondary school GPA they earned and maneuver for position in schools with fixing passage prerequisites. Nonetheless, the junior college choice permits you the space to gain important credits and enhance your GPA before going up against different understudies for a spot at the greater schools.

A Practical Way to Explore Your Options

Maybe the most appealing advantage you’ll discover at a junior college is the chance to investigate your scholarly and profession choices completely.

Some big deal universities and colleges convey a profound desire that you proclaim a noteworthy early and roll out it hard to improvement the more you stay in school. Actually understudy arranges change a few times over a four-year term.

Acquiring a degree doesn’t need to be a period a bet. On the off chance that you have any faltering about making your best course of action, you deserve to think about gaining as a two-year degree at a nearby junior college first.

At any rate, you can investigate every one of your choices and spot yourself in a decent position to settle on an educated choice.

Please join us for the Portland Human Resource Management Association (PHRMA) January Luncheon on January 16, 2013 from 11:30am – 1:00pm at the Portland Doubletree Hotel (LloydCenter). Following the luncheon will be an afternoon workshop from 1:30pm-4:00pm that you will not want to miss!

Luncheon Topic: The Soft Skills Revival: The New Take on People Skills That Businesses are Buzzing AboutCost: Member – $25; Guest – $35Register online: http://www.portlandhrma.org/calendar.cfmHRCI Credit Pending

Luncheon Session Summary:
In the past, organizations often resisted soft skills training because they couldn’t clearly see the connection to their business goals. This has changed, and now there is a growing demand for what we used to call soft skills training. This program explores the reasons why businesses are now eager for employee development programs that enhance emotional intelligence and personal leadership. Further, the program describes the shift from teaching interpersonal skills to facilitating a learning experience that is personally transformative. Participants will participate in such a learning experience.

To identify 1) a soft skills shortage among job applicants and within the workforce and 2) one method for improving soft skills that integrates recent thinking on facilitating personal change.

Workshop Session Summary:
Recent studies show a strong link between trust and both productivity and innovation. This program shows the research, explores the connection, and digs deep into the four elements of trust: competence, transparency, predictability, and genuine concern. Participants will engage in an appreciative inquiry exercise that will illustrate these points. They will also use a trust self-assessment tool to identify specific behaviors they can engage in to strengthen trust among individuals and within teams.

The learning objectives are 1) the ability to identify the four elements of trust, 2) the demonstrated ability to identify specific behaviors associated with each element of trust, and 3) the specific behaviors participants can begin or stop doing to strengthen trust in their relationships with others.

Speaker Bio:
David Rabiner is a speaker, educator, and author on leadership, influence, and personal effectiveness. Since 1993, he has averaged more than 100 workshops or presentations annually and has worked with more than 1,900 groups in 46 states and 12 countries.
David graduated from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University. Prior to forming Rabiner Resources, lnc., in 1993, he enjoyed a successful 15-year career in radio news broadcasting, in executive-level public service, and as an entrepreneur.
In 2003, David passed rigorous standards to earn the coveted Certified Speaking Professional, the international benchmark for speaking excellence. He was re-certified in 2008 and is one of fewer than 600 speakers worldwide that currently hold the designation

One of the best scenes in Star Trek was when Spock would place his fingers on someone’s face and chant: “My mind to your mind. Your thoughts to my thoughts.” This inevitably resulted in an exchange of critical information that saved the Enterprise and her crew. While in contemporary times we may lack the telepathic powers of 23rd Century Vulcans, we can do a lot to protect our businessesfrom brain drain and the loss of human capitalwith knowledge transfer tools and techniques.

Knowledge transfer is an urgent issue and organizations and their HR teams can’t wait for the recession to end before they begin to move forward on this critical initiative.

Here’s how:

Lay the foundation – Perform an analysis of critical skills and key knowledge areas that your business will require for business success over the next two to five years. Next, analyze your current workforce and perform a gap analysis, considering normal turnover including potential retirement of traditional and boomer generation employees. Finally, examine the existing social networks both formal and informal that already exist.

Get executive support– Identify executive-level champions and share your findings from the analysis with them. Knowledge transfer can’t be seen soley as an HR program if it is to gain acceptance as a strategic initiative and capture resources necessary for its success. Strong advocacy from the top is essential and will serve to stimulate the interest and participation of other valuable stakeholders.

Roll out a program and communicate, communicate, communicate! – Using information you’ve gathered through your analysis and leveraging your support base, design a program to show the benefits of knowledge management. One option that has worked in many organizations is mentorship. Here matures and boomers are engaged to transmit deep knowledge gained over years of work and share it Gen X and Y colleagues. Along with the program, prepare to communicate with stakeholders early and often using a variety of media. This is a critical engagement factor that will pay real dividends.

Build in the use of social networking tools to facilitate knowledge transfer– Internal social networks can bridge generational divides. Stereotypes to the contrary, boomers are embracing social networking and becoming as comfortable in using social media as their Gen X and Gen Y colleagues. Build on this shared affordance.

Knowledge transfer is a high leverage point that can give your enterprise an unbeatable competitive edge. Spock would approve!